Florentino Fernandez and Rocky Rivero were two of the leading contenders for the middleweight title in the early/mid 1960's.

Fernandez, after a tough string of losses in 1961-1962 to Gene Fullmer (here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZmS0m21c7A)), Dick Tiger (here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh9JE2EsTlg)), Rubin Carter (here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0LQ5EXSNXI)) and Joey Giambra, had won 5 in a row (all 5 by KO's), including an impressive stoppage win over future light heavyweight champ Jose Torres (here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaKKcUBCvZs)). He had a reputation as a powerful left hooker who was durable but not unstoppable, and few of his fights ever went the distance.

Juan Carlos "Rocky" Rivero was one of the toughest fighters of the era, who based on physical appearance did not look like much, but had the stamina to fight for days. His most famous bouts were against Joey Giardello, whom he fought twice, Florentino Fernandez, whom he fought four times, and Dick Tiger, who stopped him on body blows (here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9d3SccwJlE)).

Although both fighters had more significant bouts against the very best middleweights of their era, it was their popular rivalry that brought out the best in each other.